NORTB OF Mi:\ 333 



P. n i t i il 11 s, I. i-r.. New Speci< s, p 



Black, shining. The punctures of the i 1\ tra are smaller than in the preceding sp icies. 

 This species is the largest as well as the leasl convex of the genus. 



Length .65-1.02 inch. 



Occurs in Florida. Rare in cabinets. The largest specimen I have seen is in the 

 collection of Mr. F. <i. Sanborn, of Boston. 



M CTOB \TI>. ffi 

 Nyctobates, Guerin, Mag. Zool. Ins. 1834; Melasomes, p. 33. 



Notwithstanding the fact, thai four species have been until the present recognised in 

 catalogues, it is impossible to define but two. 



N. pensylvanica, DeGeer, Tenebrio Mem. V.. p. 52, pi. 13, fig. 10; Berbst, Cpis Col. i 



Beauv., Tenebrio Insectes, pi. 31, fig. I: . Mann., Bull. Mosc. \-~Y-'. p. 284. 



The species of this genus have almost entirely the form of [Jpis, but may be readily 

 known by the epipleurae extending entirely to the apex of the elytra, although becoming 

 very narrow. 



In the above synonymical \\^ I have united our common eastern species and that from 

 California. There arc absolutely no differences between them that cannot be shown to be 

 merely individual variations. The mentum in both has the disc or central portion rhom- 

 boidal, broader in front and slightly emarginate. The anterior angles, though rounded, 

 are distinct. The surface is coarsely punctured. The thorax is usuall) nearly square or 

 slightly narrowing in front. The elytra have faint striae of fine punctures. 



Length .80-.90 inch. 



Occurs in every region of our country between the Atlantic and Pacific, from the 

 Northern and Middle State westward to California, where it occurs more abundantly in 

 moderately elevated regions, or where the climate is not hot. 



X. barbata, Enoch, Tenebrio X. Beitrag. 106, tab. T. fig. 1; : . Herbst, I pis Col. 8, 32, tab. 11 



! I ild., Stansb. Exped. 376. 



This species differs from th ding in having the under surface of the mentum 



rather densely clothed with hair. The disc of the mentum is also inure rounded, and the 

 anterior angles are very obtuse and rounded. The thorax is usually broader than long, 

 always broader than the preceding sp 'cies, and the sides in front more strongly rounded. 

 The punctured striae of the elytra are also more defined, and their surfaces smoother and 

 at times glabrous or shining. The specimen called intermedia by Haldemau, differs only 

 in having the elytra! punctures much less defined. 



I length .66— .8 * inch. 



This species occurs more especially in the Southern and Gulf States, where it is 

 rare; it i- verj r.uely met with in the Northern States. 



A.MEBI. Till I —VOL. XIV.- - I 



